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LESSONS LEARNED REGARDING THE USE OF AN IMPINGER FOR COLLECTING AIRBORNE BACTERIA DURING A BIOSOLIDS APPLICATION FIELD STUDY
Citation:
BARTH, E. F. LESSONS LEARNED REGARDING THE USE OF AN IMPINGER FOR COLLECTING AIRBORNE BACTERIA DURING A BIOSOLIDS APPLICATION FIELD STUDY . In Proceedings, Biosolids Exposure Measurement Workshop (EPA/600/R-07/055) , Cincinnati, OH, March 16 - 17, 2006. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, Appendix D-5, p40-44, 2007.
Impact/Purpose:
To apply the lessons learned from the modifications made to the standard practices involving impinger use when collecting airborne bacteria during a biosolids application field study.
Description:
The National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL) of the USEPA has performed laboratory wind tunnel studies as well as large field studies to evaluate specific bioaerosol components (bacteria, fungi, endotoxin, β-d glucan) that may be associated with various practices for managing semi-solids such as biosolids or sediments (contaminated by combined sewer overflows). The wind tunnel studies have indicated limitations involving the impingement collection method. Modifications to common practices for impingement collection procedures, gained from the wind tunnel studies, were implemented into the design of the bioaerosol sampling collection plan for a large field study involving the land application of biosolids to increase the likelihood that stress-sensitive bacteria (Gram-negative) could be collected and detected. These modified procedures include: covering of the impinger apparatus with aluminum foil to block ultra-violet radiation transmission during collection; periodic washing of the inlet neck during collection to prevent drying of the biological mass that may collect on the curve of the inlet neck during collection; and a final rinse step for the inlet neck and jet nozzles after collection. (To access paper, see Appendix D-5 of Proceedings, p. 40-44.)
